Building construction



0a. 27, 1970 F, BLASK, 3,535,836

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BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 8, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

PM, W0, JaWd/M United States Patent 3,535,836 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION JohnF. Blaski, 1844 Miner St., Des Plaines, Ill. 60016 Continuation-impartof application Ser. No. 734,826,

Apr. 24, 1968. This application Sept. 8, 1969, Ser. No. 864,253

Int. Cl. E04b 1/32; E04c 3/30 US. CI. 52-80 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE The side walls and the roof of a building supported on theside walls are formed of a plurality of panels which are curvedlongitudinally and transversely as in a sector of the surface of afrustum of a right circular cone and are disposed in side-by-side and,essentially, edge-on relationship. The panels have inner and outerflanges formed along each longitudinal edge thereof which are incontiguous angularly displaced relationship.

This application is a continuation-in-part of the application Of John F.Blaski, Ser. No. 734,826, filed Apr. 24, 1968, now abandoned entitledBuilding Construction; of the application of John F. Blaski, Ser. No.415,748, filed Dec. 3, 1964, now abandoned for Building Construction;

of the application of John F. Blaski, Ser. No. 504,527, filed Oct. 24,1965, now abandoned for Building Construction; and of the application ofJohn F. Blaski, Ser. No. 729,866, filed Apr. 16, 1968, for BuildingConstruction.

Background of the invention The field of the invention relates ingeneral to a building construction, more specifically, to aprefabricated building construction formed from a plurality ofsheetmetal panels having curvatures in two directions transverse to eachother.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved building construction. More specifically, an object of thepresent invention is to provide a new and improved prefabricatedbuilding construction formed from a plurality of sheet-metal panels offrustoconical configuration. In this connection it is an object toprovide such a building construction which is adapted to be quickly andeasily built by unskilled labor.

Quonset hut types of buildings made of corrugated metal pieces are knownas, for example, in the Fouts Pat. No. 1,182,082. Buildings made ofadjacent pieces of channel shaped cross section are known, for example,in Blaski Pat. No. 2,436,543, Canadian Pat. No. 695,513 and Belgian Pat.No. 532,015. Other flat panel constructions, diverse shaped, corrugatedor simply curved flatly arranged pieces are known in patents Worthen No.16,767, Thompson et al. No. 2,173,402, Blaski No. 2,271,451, Behlen No.2,742,114 and Gatrell et al. No. 1,369,236.

Accordingly, another object of the present invention is to provide a newand improved building construction having a pair of curved sides and acurved roof supported by the sides. In this connection it is an objectto provide such a building construction wherein the sides and the, roofare formed with the same radius and of frusto-conical configuration.

A general object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved building construction characterized in its simplicity, strengthand ruggedness.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent upon reading the attached detailed description taken inconjunction with the drawings.

3,535,836 Patented Oct. 27, 1970 Summary In a preferred form of theinvention, a plurality of generally arcuate sheet-metal panels areprovided which are curved longitudinally and transversely in theconfiguration of a sector of the surface of a frustum of a rightcircular cone and which have inner flanges and outer flanges formedalong each longitudinal edge thereof, the inner and outer flanges beingin contiguous angularly displaced relationship. Pairs of transverselyadjacent panels are disposed in transversely adjacent relationship sothat inner flanges thereof abut, and the abutting inner flanges aresecured together to form substantially V shaped sections and to formchannels between adjacent panels which are adapted to receive a sealant.The ends of the panels are otfset so that the substantially V shapedsections may be connected together in end-to-end relationship, withtheir ends overlapping, to form rows of V shaped sections. A pluralityof such rows of V shaped sections are built up to provide a pair ofcurved side walls and a curved roof which is supported on these sidewalls, by disposing a plurality of V shaped sections in side-by-sliderelationship so that the other inner flanges abut and by connecting theabutting inner flanges together. The upper edges of the side wallsengage the underside of the roof and the roof is suitably secured to theupper edges of the side walls. The building constructions will have alength dependent upon the number of rows of panels employed. A sealantmay be applied to the channels formed between adjacent panels so thatthe structure is sealed thereby.

For the purpose of providing a detailed description of the presentinvention reference will now be made to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a building construction embodying thefeatures of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged end elevational view of the building constructionof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a generally rectangular sheet-metalplate, illustrating in dotted lines how the panel is to be curved foruse in the building construction of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a panel utilized in the buildingconstruction of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modified panel utilized in the sidewalls of the building construction of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing severalinterconnected panels as employed in the building construction of FIG.1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyalong line 77 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the relationship between a sidewall and the roof of the building construction shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

While the invention has been shown and will be described in some detailwith reference to a particular exemplary embodiment thereof, there is nointention that it be limited to such detail. Quite to the contrary, itis intended here to embrace all modifications, alternatives andequivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawings and more specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2, abuilding construction 10 is illustrated which has been constructed inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention. As may be seen,the building construction 10 includes a pair of curved side walls 11 anda curved roof 12 supported by the side walls. The building construction10 is a modified and improved form of the building constructiondisclosed in copending application Ser. No. 729,866, filed Apr. 16,1968, and allows for the formation of a building having a lower heightwith the same horizontal span. In its preferred form, the

building is constructed of a plurality of panels 14, the shape andconfiguration of which are substantially that of a sector of the surfaceof a frustum of a right circular cone, with flanges formed along thelongitudinal edges of the panels. The panels 14, preferably, are formedin accordance with the teachings of the copending application Ser. No.729,866. The panels 14 may be connected together longitudinally inend-to-end relationship to form rows of panels and the rows of panelsmay then be connected together transversely in side-by-side relationshipto provide a generally corrugated Surface forming the curved side walls11 and curved roof 12 of the building 10. Alternatively, the panels 14may be connected together transversely in side-by-side relationship toform sections of panels and the sections of panels may then be connectedtogether longitudinally in end-to-end relationship to form the curvedside walls 11 and the roof 12. Since the foundation or base for thebuilding does not comprise any part of the present invention, it has notbeen illustrated and will not be described. However, it will be readilyapparent that any conventional foundation or base may be employed inconnection with the building 10.

The panels 14 are constructed so that they are curved longitudinally andtransversely, i.e., in transverse directions, and so that they haveinner flanges and outer flanges formed along the longitudinal edgesthereof which are in contiguous angularly displaced relationship.Referring to FIG. 4, a panel 14 utilized in the building 10 is shownwhich may be produced from a substantially rectangular plate 14' formedinto an arcuate piece as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 3, the platepreferably being sheetmetal. As may be seen, the panel 14 has a pair ofinner flanges 14a and 14b and a pair of outer flanges 14c and 14d, theflanges being formed along the longitudinal edges of the panels incontiguous angularly displaced relationship. It will be readilyappreciated that the plate 14 may be processed in various ways to formthe panel 14.

In the construction of the side walls 11 and the roof 12 of the building10, rows of panels may initially be formed and then the rows of panelsmay be connected together so that pairs of rows form substantially Vshaped sections (see FIGS. 6 and 7). To facilitate the forming the rowsof panels, the ends of the panels are offset so that they are adapted tooverlap one another. Thus, a row of panels is formed by disposing theends of a plurality of panels in overlapping relationship and bysecuring the ends of the panels together with suitable fasteners 18.Thereafter, the inner flanges 14a of rows of panels, which areconstructed to mate, are disposed in face-to-face abutting relationship,i.e., the rows of panels are disposed in side-by-side relationship, andthe inner flanges are secured together with suitable fasteners 18 toform substantially V shaped sections between pairs of transverselyadjacent rows of panels. In like manner, the inner flanges 1412, whichlikewise are constructed to mate, of rows of panels are disposed inface-to-face abutting relationship secured together with suitablefasteners 18 to form substantially V shaped sections between pairs oftransversely adjacent rows of panels. By combining a plurality of Vshaped rows of panels, the desired side walls 11 and roof 12 may beformed. While any suitable fasteners 18 may be employed, the exemplaryfasteners (FIG. 7) include bolts 18a which accommodate nuts 18b.

Alternatively, the inner flanges 14a of pairs of panels and the innerflanges 14b of pairs of panels may be disposed in face-to-face abuttingrelationship and may be secured together by fasteners 18 to formsubstantially V shaped sections. The V shaped sections may then beconnected together in end-to-end relationship to form rows of V shapedsections. Again, by combining a plurality of rows of V shaped sectionsthe desired side walls 11 and roof 12 may be formed.

As may be seen by reference to FIGS. 2 and 8, the upper edges of theside walls 11 engage the under surface of the roof 12 and the roof 12extends outwardly of or overhangs the side walls. The roof 12 may, ofcourse, be modified so that it does not extend outwardly of the sidewalls 11. In accordance with the present invention, the upper edges ofthe upper panels forming the side walls 11 are formed to flushly engagethe under surfaces of the end panels forming the roof 12. The side walls11 and roof 12 are suitably secured together by fasteners correspondingto the fasteners 18 which secure together adjacent panels 14. In orderto provide flush engagement with the roof, the upper panels of the sidewalls are formed by cutting the panel 14, shown in FIG. 4, along adiagonal line, such as the dotted line 20, to form a panel 14substantially as shown in FIG. 5. The upper edge 20" of the panel 14" isadapted to flushly engage the under side of an end panel forming theroof 12 as shown in FIG. 8 and is adapted to be readily secured thereto.For this purpose, upper flange 22" is formed along the upper edge 20" ofthe panel 14". Moreover, corresponding bolt holes are formed in theflanges 22 of the upper panels 14" forming the side walls and theportions of the end panels of the roof 12 engaged thereby to allow forbo lting together the side walls 11 and the roof 12.

With the panels 14 disclosed herein, substantially V shaped channels areformed between panels disposed in side-by-side relationship when thepanels are connected together as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Morespecifically, substantially V shaped channels are formed between flangesof adjacent panels and between the main body portions of adjacent panelswhich are contiguous with flanges 141;. For the purpose of sealing thebuilding structure, a sealant 25 may be applied to the channels formedbetween transversely adjacent panels (see FIG. 7). Thus, it will beapparent that the panels 14 facilitate the positive sealing of thebuilding construction 10 so that a watertight building is provided.

For the purpose of providing horizontal support to the buildingconstruction 10, adjustable ties 28 may be provided which are connectedbetween opposite ends of the roof 12, or, alternatively, are connectedto the opposite side walls '11. The tie 28, as will be readily apparent,will balance outwardly directed forces of the building construction 10'.

In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the building 10may be readily fabricated from the panels 14 and 14". Moreover, it willbe readily apparent that the building constructed in accordance with thepresent invention may have a low ceiling height and a relatively widehorizontal span. Additionally, it will 'be appreciated that theresultant building construction is provided with a corrugated surfacehaving outer and inner seams formed by abutting inner flanges ofadjacent panels. The seams are generally arcuate and extend transverselyof the longitudinal axis of the building construction 10. Furthermore, acontiguous corrugated surface is provided which facilitates the drainageof rain, liquid or the like, that might accumulate on the surface of thebuilding structure. Due to the double curvature of the panels, i.e., thelongitudinal and transverse curvature, an exceptionally strong andrugged building structure may be constructed from relatively lightweightpanels. Additionally, the panels are strengthened :by the provision oftwo flanges adjacent each longitudinal edge and channels are providedbetween adjacent panels wherein a sealant may 'be applied to provide awater-tight building. Furthermore, the structure may be strengthened bythe addition of cross-ties 28.

'In the formation of the building 10, the side walls 11 and the roof 12may be separately formed. The side walls 11 may then be positioned inplace and the roof may be positioned on top of the side walls.Alternatively, a temporary tower or supporting column may be used tofacilitate the building of double rows of panels forming a V shapedsection for the side walls 11. The roof 12 may then be built up on theside walls 11. The building may be made to have any desired length, thelength thereof merely being dependent upon the number of adjacent panelswhich are connected together.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown, it willbe understood, of course, that the invention is not limited theretosince many modifications may be made, and it is, therefore, contemplatedby the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall withinthe true spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention having thus been described, what is claimed and desired tobe secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a shell type building construction having inner and outersurfaces, the combination which comprises a pair of upstanding curvedside walls, a convex-upwardly curved roof supported on the upper ends ofthe side walls, the side walls and roof each comprising a plurality ofelongated panels disposed in side-by-side relation and a plurality ofelongated panels disposed in end-to-end relation, each of said panelshaving oppositely disposed outer and inner longitudinal edge portions,first and second end portions, and a body portion between saidlongitudinal edge portions and said end portions, said outer and innerlongitudinal edge portions of each of said panels being disposedrelative to each other in substantially the relation of the longitudinaledge of the base, and the longitudinal edge of the top, respectively, ofa sector of the surface of a frustum of a right circular cone, meansoperatively connecting together said outer longitudinal edge portions ofadjacent panels in alternate pairs of said side-by-side panels in saidside walls and in said roof, and means operatively connecting togethersaid inner longitudinal edge portions of adjacent panels in alternatepairs of said side-by-side panels in said side walls and in said roof,and means securing the upper end portions of said side Walls to saidroof in under lying relation to the bottom face of said roof.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein each of said inner andouter longitudinal edge portions comprises a flange contiguous to saidbody portion of said panel, said flanges of said inner and outer edgeportions of each said panel have the same but oppositely directedangular relationship to said body portion of said panel, and saidflanges on said adjacent pairs of panels are operatively securedtogether.

3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said outer longitudinaledge portion comprises a first flange contiguous to said body portion ofsaid panel and a third flange contiguous to said first flange anddisposed on the side thereof remote from said body portion, and saidinner longitudinal edge portion comprises a second flange contiguous tosaid body portion of said panel and a fourth flange contiguous to saidsecond flange and disposed on the side thereof remote from said bodyportion, said first and second flanges of said inner and outerlongitudinal edge portions, respectively, of each panel have the sameangularity relative to the body portion but are oppositely directedrelative thereto, said first flanges on adjacent panels are operativelysecured together, said second flanges on adjacent panels areoperati-vely secured together, and said third and fourth flanges on saidsecured-together first and second flanges flare away from each other toform a channel.

4. The invention according to claim 1 wherein each of said panels hasits end portions offset and in overlapping relationship with the ends oflongitudinally adjacent panels.

5. The invention according to claim 1 including means for horizontallysupporting the building construction.

6. The invention according to claim 1 including horizontal strutssecured to opposite sides of the roof to provide hoizontal support tothe building construction.

7. The invention according to claim 1 wherein the curved roof overhangsthe side walls.

8. The invention according to claim 7 wherein the radii of the sidewalls and of the roof are the same.

9. The invention according to claim 7 including the upper panels formingthe side Walls having transverse flanges formed at the upper edgesthereof which engage the under-side of panels forming the roof, meansfor securing together mating flanges of adjacent panels, and means forsecuring the transverse flanges of the upper side wall panels to panelsin the roof engaged thereby.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 16,767 3/1857 Worthen 52861,182,082 5/1916 Fouts 5218 1,369,236 2/1921 Gatrell et al. 52-4162,173,402 9/1939 Thompson et al. 52416 2,271,451 1/1942 Blaski 52-862,302,949 10/1942 Palmer 52 4s2 2,436,543 2/1948 Blaski 52--86 2,742,1144/1956 Behlen 52262 FOREIGN PATENTS 7,878 5/1888 Great Britain. 8,7775/1893 Great Britain.

532,015 3/1955 Belgium.

695,513 10/1964 Canada.

110,999 7/1940 Australia.

HENRY C. SUTHERLAND, Primary Examiner I. L. RIDGILL, JR., AssistantExaminer US. Cl. X.R.

